Bodycam captures moment man stabbed police officer in face with pen
Written by News on 12/02/2021
Footage has been released of the moment a man stabbed a police officer in the face with a pen during a frenzied assault in which he threatened to kill her.
The graphic video, captured on bodycam, showed Adrian Popa attacking PC Alexandra Dobbs as she desperately called for backup.
The disturbing film, which was shown in court, was made public by the Metropolitan Police as the 40-year-old was jailed for nearly four years.
He had admitted threatening to kill and assaulting PC Dobbs on 16 August last year.
Jailing him at the Old Bailey, Judge Richard Marks QC said: “Attacks on police officers will not be tolerated and those convicted of such an attack will be dealt with severely by the courts.”
He acknowledged the impact on PC Dobbs’ life had been “profound”.
She suffered multiple wounds to her face and neck and scratches to her shoulder.
The officer, who attended court, has been left permanently scarred and feeling anxious as a result of the attack.
She said in a victim impact statement: “I have used lotions and makeup to conceal the scars on my cheek, but I am constantly reminded of what took place.
“The scarring has knocked my confidence as a person, I feel paranoid that people are staring at me.
“The threat of what could have happened scares me to this day.”
Investigating officer Detective Constable Huss Ahmed said: “The officer is incredibly lucky.
“But for sheer fortune, her injuries may well have been life-changing or worse, and we could have been looking at a very different investigation.”
The court heard how Popa had been spotted by a neighbour lurking in the back garden of his ex-partner’s home in Edgware, north London.
The Battersea Power Station safety supervisor had been barred under bail conditions from going to the property after being charged over an alleged domestic assault.
PC Dobbs was among the first on the scene and was attacked by Popa as she attempted to detain him.
In mitigation, the court heard that Popa had been suffering from depression and was remorseful.
He was sentenced to three years and 10 months for the threat to kill and 15 months for assault occasioning actual bodily harm to run concurrently.
The court heard the domestic violence case against Popa was dropped after his former partner refused to give evidence.
(c) Sky News 2021: Bodycam captures moment man stabbed police officer in face with pen
